"I'm a happy father and a happy husband. That's what matters," Rice said to a crush of reporters as he walked into court hand-in-hand with his now-wife, 26-year-old Janay Palmer.

In court, Rice pleaded not guilty to the aggravated assault charge and said he intends to apply for a New Jersey program called pre-trial intervention. It's available to first-time offenders in that state, and it means if Rice behaves, he would be able to avoid incarceration. If he were to successfully complete the program, the charge would be dismissed.

Prosecutors agreed to allow the application, but they get the final word on whether he’s accepted.

As required in New Jersey, prosecutors offered a plea bargain to Rice if he's rejected for the PTI program: Plead guilty and get probation and anger management counseling but no jail time.

I-Team lead investigative reporter Jayne Miller said the pre-trial intervention decision was not made Thursday.

Prosecutors in the case against Rice said the state has video in addition to the video that was made public by entertainment website TMZ that showed the running back pulling Palmer out of an elevator at Revel Casino and Hotel after police said he knocked her out. Prosecutors, however, did not say what that additional video showed.

Rice let his lawyer, Michael Diamondsten, speak for him. Diamondsten told Miller that Rice is remorseful for letting down his wife, the community and himself.

"He made a mistake. We are all human beings, and on that evening, he -- for a number of reasons -- he acted out of character. He's ashamed of his conduct. He's sorry for what he did and he wishes to move on with his life," Diamondsten said.

The attorney also confirmed there was video from inside the elevator but did not say if it showed Rice hitting Palmer.

"There's a video inside the elevator, but it's more complex than that," Diamondstein said.

Rice and Palmer were initially charged with simple assault by Atlantic City police. The charge against Palmer was eventually dismissed, while a grand jury indicted Rice on the higher charge of aggravated assault, which carries a prison sentence of three to five years if convicted.